Makinna Clevenger felt right at home on Saturday night. Not only was she at the drag strip, but also for once she wasn’t the only female competing.
The 16-year-old Oak Ridge High junior participated in the Fox Hunt Drags at Sacramento Raceway Park, the 35th year in which the raceway celebrates women in drag racing. Katie Sullivan, 18, the youngest female to qualify on a Pro Stock Motorcycle and win a round, was on hand, as was Stephanie Paz in her Super Gas Camaro. Barbara and Apryl Winston also joined in the fun, as mother and daughter dragsters.
“It was the first time that I got to have a conversation with them so it was neat to get to know them and be around other girls in the sport,” Clevenger said.
In her only race of the night, Clevenger lost, but she made one pass on Friday night and two others on Saturday. She also did a couple of burnouts for a local television crew who featured her on a broadcast.
“It was pretty fun to do the burnouts,” Clevenger said. “I think it’s neat to be on TV so it’s fun.”
“I’m a little more comfortable each time,” Clevenger said. “I still have nerves, but I’m more confident and I know what I’m doing.”
For now, though, Clevenger is looking forward to racing her junior dragster this weekend at Sacramento Raceway Park. She’s got another big race coming up next month in the Governor’s Cup.
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